Feyenoord kick out 28yo Babalola days before AC Milan clash

Feyenoord have parted ways with assistant coach Lucas Andersson Babalola, just days before their crucial Champions League playoff clash against AC Milan, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old Lucas Babalola leaves alongside head coach Brian Priske and fellow assistant Björn Hamberg, as the Dutch club undergoes a major shake-up in its coaching staff.

Let’s meet…

Björn Hamberg
Lukas Babalola

A duo interview:

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) August 1, 2024

The decision follows Feyenoord’s recent struggles, with general and technical director Dennis te Kloese citing inconsistent results and a lack of progress as the main reasons behind the dismissals.

“It is very disappointing for all parties that we had to come to this decision,” said te Kloese.

“Although Feyenoord achieved some impressive results with Brian, especially in the UEFA Champions League, the first team’s performance has been far too inconsistent in recent months, and unfortunately, we see too little structural progress.”

Priske’s fate was effectively sealed after a string of damaging defeats. While he oversaw a 3-0 victory against Sparta Rotterdam at the weekend, it came too late to salvage his position.

Feyenoord had already suffered heavy losses to Lille (6-1) in the Champions League, as well as defeats to Ajax in the Eredivisie and PSV, which saw them eliminated from the KNVB Beker.

Babalola and Priske coaching journey 

Babalola had been a key figure in Priske’s backroom staff since their time together at Slavia Prague.

The Danish-Nigerian coach played a crucial role in Sparta Prague’s historic double-winning campaign last season, securing both the league title and the domestic cup.

What a journey. Amazing3️⃣8️⃣ https://t.co/Ag6yQvftsF

— Lukas Babalola (@lukas_babalola) May 18, 2024

When Priske took over at Feyenoord following Arne Slot’s move to Liverpool, he insisted on bringing Babalola with him, recognizing his analytical expertise and tactical insights.

Babalola’s coaching career began in Denmark, where he established a strong reputation before moving to the Czech Republic in 2023.

As Chief Analyst at Sparta Prague, his work was highly regarded, leading Priske to personally request his addition to the Feyenoord staff.

However, their time in the Netherlands has now come to an abrupt end, leaving the club scrambling for a new coaching setup ahead of their vital clash with AC Milan.